Having recently purchased my swing keel Catalina 22 with a trailer that has no extension, I find that the launch ramps are too shallow for a proper launch. Short of buying a new trailer or asking a welder to reconfigure the trailer with an extension, I am reduced to unhitching the trailer and rolling it back into the water while my vehicle stays at the water's edge. I attach a heavy duty tow strap between the trailer and my vehicle's tow hitch, and then roll the trailer out into the water for the launch. What methods do other trailer sailors use when the ramp is just too shallow? Chuck Catalina 22 "Saintly"
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extend a hitch
Hello, I had the same problem with my boat. I did not like using ropes, etc. to launch and retrieve. Maybe if I only did that once a year, but last year I launched and retreived every time (this year my boat is on a mooring). Anyway, I bought a 10' hitch extension from http://www.extendahitch.com/ It works great. It was easy to install and works as advertized. Barry
Hello, I had the same problem with my boat. I did not like using ropes, etc. to launch and retrieve. Maybe if I only did that once a year, but last year I launched and retreived every time (this year my boat is on a mooring). Anyway, I bought a 10' hitch extension from http://www.extendahitch.com/ It works great. It was easy to install and works as advertized. Barry
Launching
Launched my boat for three years with the old trailer from a salt water ramp in Port Orchard, WA. We had to time the tides. Launch any point higher than a +5 tide. (The kids got pretty good at reading the tide tables.) Had to back the truck into the water several times up to the rear hubs. Never hurt the truck. Just kept the truck well rinsed with fresh water as soon as I could. Just purchased a new, made just for me and the C-22, trailer from trail right. Works like a champ. Perfect balance when towing, perfect to launch and retrieve from and looks pretty good too. Had to order it from a dealer though and it did take 6 weeks for delivery. Best thing I bought for the boat. Campy out
Launched my boat for three years with the old trailer from a salt water ramp in Port Orchard, WA. We had to time the tides. Launch any point higher than a +5 tide. (The kids got pretty good at reading the tide tables.) Had to back the truck into the water several times up to the rear hubs. Never hurt the truck. Just kept the truck well rinsed with fresh water as soon as I could. Just purchased a new, made just for me and the C-22, trailer from trail right. Works like a champ. Perfect balance when towing, perfect to launch and retrieve from and looks pretty good too. Had to order it from a dealer though and it did take 6 weeks for delivery. Best thing I bought for the boat. Campy out
Ha! That's Nothing!!
I have a C22 with a fixed fin keel. We launch with a 50' cable. It doesn't take much time. The extending hitch on my trailer never gets used. A 12' extension does no good for me! Randy
I have a C22 with a fixed fin keel. We launch with a 50' cable. It doesn't take much time. The extending hitch on my trailer never gets used. A 12' extension does no good for me! Randy
8' hitch extension
Hi Chuck. I tow with a 1993 Grand Marquis & find that an 8' extension works. The female part is bolted under the trailer tongue (see picture). The extension piece is bolted along side the frame for travelling. When in use it slides into the female part as it is one size smaller. Size does matter! I could post a picture of the other piece. Regards, Bob B.
Hi Chuck. I tow with a 1993 Grand Marquis & find that an 8' extension works. The female part is bolted under the trailer tongue (see picture). The extension piece is bolted along side the frame for travelling. When in use it slides into the female part as it is one size smaller. Size does matter! I could post a picture of the other piece. Regards, Bob B.
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